Method for separating a granular mixture in a flowing medium and device for carrying out said method

ABSTRACT

The invention is used in various branches of industry, in particular in agriculture for preparing seeds for sowing and for selection purposes. The method of separating a granular mixture in a flowing medium is based on a gravitational supply of particles, with an aerodynamic, monotonously increasing action thereon with a cascade of flat jets, said cascade being stabilized in terms of pressure and discharge. Large impurities are removed from the granular mixture beforehand, and stable parameters are maintained in the separation chamber. The device comprises a vibrating screen, an adjustable hopper with an agitator and a vibrating chute, a generator of a cascade of flat jets, which is connected to a drive for supplying air under pressure, a fraction collector and a separation chamber. The output of the separation chamber is covered with a filtering element in the form of a rotating drum with a calibrating sifter on the surface, said sifter being connected to a cyclone.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to the methods and devices for air and liquidseparation of granular materials. It can be used in food, chemical andother industries, as well as in agriculture for preparing seeds forsowing, for breeding purposes by cleaning, drying (if necessary), andfor separating the mixture into individual fractions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The known method of separation of granular mixture in a flowing mediumconsists in the gravity feed of the mixture particles in a separationzone, in an aerodinamic monotonically increasing effect on them at anacute angle to the vertical with the cascade of flat jets and extractionof finished fractions. In this case, such an aerodynamic effect iscarried out in free alternating power scanning with increasing scanamplitude and scan angle. The device for such method of separation ofgranular mixture has a hopper with a vibrating chute, and installedunder it the generator of air jets with flat nozzles arranged one underanother and at an acute angle to the vertical, the height of crosssections, its step and installation angle of which increase upside down.In this case the generator is connected to the source of supplying airunder pressure into it, and the generator is covered by side walls. Thedevice also contains a fractions collector, installed under the nozzles[refer Patent UA No 45881 class B07B 4/02 published 15 Apr. 2002bulletin No 4,2002].

In this mentioned method the separation of granular mixtures intoindividual fractions occurs due to the difference in the ratio of theirweight and the force of aerodynamic drag. This method, thanks to itspeculiarities of the action mode of air jets on the mixture particles ismore accurate and stable over time than the usual passing of the mixturethrough the continuous flow of air, especially when the separation ofparticles of irregular shape takes place. This became possible due tothe fact that the effect by the cascade of air stream allow multiple anddifferent ways of impact, practically at every particle of the granularmixture.

However, despite the advantages, this method of separation of granularmixtures and this device for its realisation have some significantdrawbacks, namely.

Alternating and free mode of expiration of the cascade of air jetsinevitably leads to a periodic and unstable in time and space appearancein (in the cascade jets) zones of pressure and rarefaction withoccurrence of the direct and reverse currents. In the zone of reversecurrents the particles of the mixture are sucked (especially light) intothe motion, the backward movement of the main stream of air, that leadsto partial mixing of already separated material with this non separated.The instability of this phenomenon in time, in result, leads to theopening (rupturing) of the cascade of air jets in any random place, thatfurther enhances the back-flow of air in this area and, as aconsequence, intensificare mix what further enhances the back-flow ofair in this area and, as a consequence, it intensificare mixing of theseparated material with non separated. In addition, the opening of acascade of the air stream contributes to the disruption of generation(cessation of the oscillatory process), that significantly reduces thequality of the separation process, and brings it closer in quality ofseparation to the ordinary blowing. The mentioned disadvantages of theknown method of separation is determined due to the imperfectconstruction of the device, in particular, the construction of thegenerator of air jets.

These drawbacks are partially eliminated in other technical solutions,for example, in the described below method of separation of granularmixtures and in the device for its implementation, the essence of whichconsists in the following.

The method of separation of a granular mixture in a flowing medium,consists of the gravity feed of the mixture particles in a separationzone, of the aerodynamic monotonically increasing effect on theparticles at an acute angle to the vertical with a cascade of flat jets,and of the output of finished fractions, in this case, the aerodynamiceffect is carried out in the mode of self-oscillatory motion of each jetand of all cascade of jets at the frequency of the first harmonicoscillations. The device for this method of separation of granularmixture in a flowing medium contains a hopper with a vibrating chute,installed under it the generator of air jets, with arranged one underanother and at an acute angle to the vertical flat nozzles, the heightcross sections, the step and the installation angle of which increasesfrom top to bottom, also the generator is connected with a source ofsupplying air under pressure and it is surrounded by lateral walls toprevent the seepage of air from the environment. The device alsoincludes a separation chamber, under it the fractions collector ismounted, as well as the each pair of contiguous nozzles are equippedwith a resonance chamber, that is connected with the space between thenozzles. The resonance chambers are equipped with a device to regulatetheir volume, and the ratio of the height of the nozzles cross sectionto the step of their installation is in the range of 0.2-0.25, and theratio of the extreme upper and extreme lower corners of nozzleinstallation is 0.65-0.75 [see Pat. of Ukraine No. 60254 classes B07B4/02, A01F 12/44 published 15 Jul. 2005 in bull. No. 7, 2005].

The main drawback of the known method of separation of granular mixturesis that it is performed with the usage of open system of flowing fluidmedium to the separation process, in particular, air stream. In theknown method the air stream is sucked into the generator of cascade jetsfrom the environment, and then it returns to the environment after usingit for separation of granular mixtures, however, the “exhaust” airstream returns saturated with the ordinary dust and volatile impuritiesof biological origin, that automatically generates a number ofadditional adverse drawbacks of the known method of separation, namely:the affaction of workers health, causing by contamination of the lungs,it contributes occurring of unwanted allergic reactions (medicaldrawback), it pollutes the environment and the room in which the deviceis operating (environmental drawback). Thus, despite the acceptablequality of the separation process, the commercial attractiveness of theknown method of separation is reduced due to the constant presence of adense dust cloud in the operating area of the device (an economicdrawback), it can even ignites fires, that often leads to thedestruction of premises, equipment and casualties among the workers dueto the explosive air-dust mixture, when it reaches a criticalconcentration in the room. And this, in turn, forces to equip the roomwith a powerful ventilation system, all these increases the cost of thefinished (separated) grain products, because of increasement of thetotal cost of technological equipment and improvement of energyconsumption for realization of this method of separation.

All mentioned disadvantages of the known method of separation ofgranular mixture in a flowing medium take place due to the structuralimperfection of the device, with the help of which it is implemented. Inthe construction of the device the node filter, that cleans the airstream, coming from the separation chamber, from impurities and dust,that form a hazardous airborne dust cloud around the device during itsoperation, doesn't exist. However, the equipment of the known devicewith the filter node of any known construction automatically increasesthe energy consumption of the separation process, due to thecorresponding increasement of the drive power of suppling air to thegenerator, because such a filter element, according to its density,creates a tangible aerodynamic resistance to advancement of the airstream. For this reason, the equipment of the known device with thefilter node is non-acceptable solution of the problem of cleaning theexhausted air from the point of economic energetical indicators.

The closest in essence and in achieved effect, that taken as aprototype, is a method of separation of granular mixture in fluidmedium, which is based on the gravity feed of the particles of themixture in a separation zone, on aerodynamic monotonically increasingeffect on granular mixture at an acute angle to the vertical with acascade of flat jets and on the extraction of the finished fractions,moreover, the lightest, solid and volatile fractions of impuritiescalibrates by their size into two independent fractions, and thesmallest of them, along with for the major part of already used for theseparation of air sream, are returned to the actuator of supplying airinto the generator, in which the indicated minor fractions of solidsimpart are given acceleration for the mechanical impact on the separatedpiece of material, and also, the second impenetrable, larger fraction ofvolatile impurities, with the dust and the remaining exhaust stream ofair is continuously removed into the environment. The device forimplementing the above described method of separation of granularmixture in flowing medium, contains the hopper with a vibrating chute,mounted under them generator of cascade of flat jets, with installed init one under another and at an acute angle to the vertical flat nozzles,the height of cross sections of which, their step and installation angleincreases from top to bottom and which is connected with the actuator ofsupplying air under pressure into the generator that is covered by sidewalls, it has a separation chamber, under which the fractions collectoris located, and the outlet of the separation chamber is covered by thefilter element, made in the form of a rotating drum with a calibratingsieve on its surface, equipped with the cleaner impassable solidimpurities outside, wherein the internal cavity of the rotating drum isconnected with the drive, that supplies air under pressure into thegenerator of cascade flat jets (reverse path), and the purifier is madein the form of consecutive slotted confuser, ventilator and cyclone witha waste hopper installed so, that the filtered element adjacents to theentrance of slit of the confuser with a garanted gap, one of the edgesof confuser is provided with a scraper made, for example, in the form ofa simple manual brush. As a version of the device, the last chute offractions collector, that is intended to collect the non-volatile wasteof separation process and a hopper for fugitive waste, which gets outfrom the cyclone, can be combined together into one construction. [seeus Pat. of Ukraine # 96814, classes B07B 4/02, A01F 12/44 published on12 Dec. 2011, in bull. No. 23/2011].

The main disadvantage of the known method of separation of granularmixture in fluid medium is unpredictability of the quality of theprocess of separation of a mixture into separate fractions. Theexistance of this drawback is due to the lack of technical tools foralignment of the air stream at the outlet of the actuator, whichsupplies the air under pressure or in front of the generator of thecascade of air jets. It is known, that the air stream on the outlet ofthe actuator, in this case—a centrifugal ventilator (although the typeof the drive does not have any matter), has an excessive turbulencestructure with different pressure in the cross section (the largest inthe center of the air stream). Such an unbalanced in pressure andexpiration the air stream is supplied to the nozzles of the generator,and then into the separation zone. If we use for the separation anunbalanced cascade of air jets, it will be impossible to achieve auniform aerodynamic effect on the particles of the mixture throughoutthe volume of the separation chamber. Therefore, the separation processflows uncontrolled and has a fairly low quality, because the differentimpact of air jets on the mixture automatically sends a certain amountof granular mixture particles to the wrong chutes of fractionscollector, into which they were supposed to get with a stable process ofseparation. The availability of this technological disadvantage is dueto the technical (constructural) imperfections of the device—their is notechnical tools for aligning of a powerful air stream according to thepressure and laminarity of expiration on the area between the drive ofair supply and the generator of the cascade of air jets.

The second major drawback of the known method of separation of granularmixture in fluid medium consists in the gradual decline of the qualityof separated material due to its contamination with mineral dust andsmall volatile fractions of impurities of biological origin. Thepresence of this disadvantage is explained as follows. The only obstacleon the way of volatile impurities is the filter element. However, thesmall volatile impurities and dust, penetrating into it, and on thereverse path coming into the drive and from there, through the generatorof the cascade jets,—into the zone of separation, where the dust andimpurities are added to a new free-flowing portions of the mixture, thatwill be separated. Therefore, if dust and small volatile impurities oncepassed through the filter element, then nothing prevents them to passagain through the same filter and repeatedly. So over the time in aclosed space of separation zone the total amount of flying dust andsmall impurities will rise. In the end, their mass exceeds a criticalpoint (maximum acceptable), and the dust with impurities will begin tofall into a fractions collector, littering the separated material, thatdramatically reduces the quality of the material. The presence of thistechnological disadvantage of known method is associated with technicalimperfection of the device,—there is no technical tools in it for theperiodical removal of extra amounts of dust and volatile contaminantsfrom the closed system of functional units of the device. Besides, theexcessive amount of dust and impurities in the closed system of thedevice can destabilize its the work, and thus—disturb the stability ofthe separation process of granular mixture in flowing medium, and anexcessive amount of such dust, as it was noted before, is explosive.

The next significant drawback of the known method of separation ofgranular mixture in flowing medium is the limited area of its usage (forexample, the separation of seed crops). The seeds of granular mixture ofcereals have certain size and weight. In this method, a granularmixture, irrespectively from its kind, is served gravitationally intothe separation zone. Moreover, the distance from the edge of vibralitingchute to the first jet of air, that appeares from the upper nozzle ofthe generator of cascade jets, is always the same, due to the immobilityof the hopper that is installed above the generator jets. Therefore, ifserve seeds into the separation zone, such as a poppy seeds, the grainsof which are small in size and weight, or the seeds of grass crops(which tends to grip to each other), so they need to have a largekinetic energy of fall, so they can manage to delaminate during the timeof free falling (it is possible if the distance between the hopper andthe entrance to the separation chamber is large enough). Otherwise, theywill just be blown out from the separation zone by the first (upper) airstream, if the capacity of the device increases. If we share the smallseeds in a free flight, they will be qualitatively separated by acascade of jets into separate factions and fall into appropriate chutesof the fractions collector. However, if other seeds are served to theseparation zone, such as corn, the grains of which are large in size andhas big weight, so they, while having a large kinetical energy offalling (if the distance between the hopper and the separation chamberis big), the first (upper) air stream (or several upper jets) the seedswill just “slip” without the separation and won't be completely dividedinto separate factions by the rest air streams (the remaining jets donot have time for efficient separation of the grains into fractionsbecause there is no sufficient number of them), and they will get intothe chutes of a fractions collector without good separation into thecorresponding to them fractions. Therefore, for such seeds it isnecessary to reduce the kinetic energy of falling, for example, byproximity of the hopper to the inlet of the separation chamber. As itwas already mentioned, the presence of this shortcoming is due to theimmobility of the bunker, that does not allow to adjust the distancebetween the vibrating chute and before the first air jet, in other wordsit doesn't allow to regulate the kinetic energy of the falling grains.In addition, the device, in particular, its hopper can not take intoaccount the form of granular mixture (its roughness, humidity, abilityto form arches), therefore, it cannot guarantee the stability ofsubmission of the mixture to the vibrating chute, that is its maindrawback. Thus, the known method and the device for its implementationis not universal, that limits their technological capabilities.

Another disadvantage of the known method of separation is its inabilityto ensure the continuity of the process of separation of granularmixtures, due to the fact that it is delivered to the hopper withoutpreliminary preparation, that consists in the removal from the mixturethe overly large impurities of mineral and biological origin (e.g.,rocks, root systems of plants, etc.). If the large mentioned impuritiesfall into the separation chamber, they can damage the equipment or“drown out” some of his ladders, and it will lead to the violation ofthe stability of the separation process with an unacceptable decrease ofthe quality of final separated product. Consequently, the absence oftechnical means of preliminary preparation of the granular mixture inthe process of separation in this device, is its drawback, thatnegatively affects on the continuity of the process of separation ofgranular mixture.

The fifth disadvantage of the known method of separation of granularmixture in flowing medium is its insensitivity to the conditionschanges, against which the quality of the separation process depends on.To such conditions the abrupt changes in the quantity (the volume perunit time) of gravitational subbmition of the granular mixture in theseparation zone can be included, as well as changes in the parameters ofthe electrical network, for example, the voltage or current frequency.If such deviations occur, the device is unable to respond on it, becauseit does not provide an automatic power changes of the drive, thatsupplies the air to the generator, and is its significant drawback,because while the conditions change, the separation process will stilloccur at pre-configured settings, and this will inevitably lead to theworsening of the quality of the separated products.

The sixth disadvantage of the known method of separation of granularmixture in flowing medium is that it does not consider the continuouslychanging conditions of separation, that is explained as follows. Thepart of the air stream is removed outside the device, together with theimpurities through the extraction fan. As a result, to the reverse pathnot full air stream comes back, and the lack of the air stream thatreturns to the drive, cannot create such pressure that was involved inthe process of separation at the beginning Moreover, the lack of air inthe reverse path gradually increases, that automatically changes theconditions of the separation of granular mixture. The absence oftechnical means in the device, that compensation the part of the volumeof the lost air is its structural disadvantage, that affects on thequality of the final (separated) product. In addition, in implementationof the known method, sometimes an opposite situation takes place—whenthe pressure in the separation zone increases and becomes higher thannecessary. This situation occurs when the filtered element is clogged,due to that, its air capacity, that is returned to the reverse pathdiminishes. However, the known method does not provide the regulation ofthe pressure in the separation zone, for example, through the periodicalautomatic reset of excess pressure. Another factor in thedestabilization of the separation process are external, natural orartificial conditions that may occur unpredictably. We are talking aboutthe environment, particularly, about weather phenomena such as wind,rain—if the device is operated outdoors or drafts—if the device isoperated indoors. To protect the separation process from the influenceof these negative phenomena is possible by providing the full protectionof the zone of separation from them. But most important is that thementioned changes of separational conditions, cannot be controlledvisually, because the device is made of opaque material, that forcesconstantly to take samples of the separated material and to judge on itsquality indirectly about the changed conditions, in which the process ofseparation occurs, and if necessary, to change manually the parametersof the separation process.

The seventh discharge of the known method of separation of granularmixture in flowing medium is, that the finished (separated) finalproduct is removed into the chutes of fractions collector, from which itis overloaded mainly to the unstable packages (bags). Firstly, it is notconvenient, since/by the separation of granular mixture into manyfractions, the bags must be established close to each other, and in theprocess of filling them with the grains, due to the expansion of such(unstable) type of the package, the bags will wedged between each other,so they must be somehow “pulled out” under the device, secondly, it isneeded quite often to remove some fraction (or fractions), into aspecial zone without loading it into the container. The impossibility ofwithdrawal of the final product to any wished distance is thesignificant discharge of the known device, due to the imperfection ofthe design of its fractions collector.

The eights disadvantage of the known method of separation of granularmixture in flowing medium is is the limitation of its functionalposibilities, for example, this method cannot be applied for drying ofcereal seeds. Although it is possible to change the mode of “purge” ofgranular mixtures for its drying, but this drying will be prevented bysome device nodes, for example, there is no sense in the filter elementthat only creates an obstacle to the free passage of air along thereverse path, that also returns the humidified air to the initialposition to the generator, in the cyclone, that in this case isadvisable to be replaced by a usual sedimentary camera, in thecollectors of fractions, because there is no such an aim to separate thegranular mixture into the fractions during its drying, while in theconstruction of the device, there are no tools to control the humidityof the air, in terms of which the quality of the finished (dried)product can be evaluated.

The main disadvantage of the device of separation of granular mixture inflowing medium, which realizes the above mentioned method, is that itscontrol panel is mounted directly on it. And it limits the viewing areaof running of the device by the operator, that makes his job dangerousdue to the steady presence near the device.

Another disadvantage of the known device for separation of granularmixture is that it has a coherent construction that cannot be dissembledinto separate blocks (modules). This shortcoming significantly hampersthe maintenance work, and if necessary to replace quickly the individualunits, its complicate the transportation to a remote distance,especially large quantities of devices to the customers, it is difficultto complete (create) blocks of such constructions of the device thatwill meet the needs of the customer and perform the necessarytechnological challenges.

The third disadvantage of the known device is that the actuator of airsupply is rigidly connected to the electric motor, which forces it to benear the actuator. Of course, this affects the working conditions of theelectric motor, because it is located inside the device (norefrigeration) it also difficult to substitute it for another in thecase of necessity, but if a replaceable electric motor will have aconnection site (shaft) of another size of construction, than it isprovided for this type of actuator of air supply (fan), that usuallyoccurs at the use of imported electric motors at the place of foreigncustomers, so it can't be managed to connect without any prior changesof construction of the connecting node of the fan (or electric motor),also this change of the connecting nodes is almost impossible to do innonstationary conditions of the device usage, due to the lack of (insuch conditions) necessary equipment, for example, turning, milling,drilling machines. In addition, different customers, often foreign, canhave different parameters of the electrical network, for example,voltage, power phase, current frequency than the manufacturer of thedevices has. Therefore, the use of external electric motor with aflexible connectivity will allow to connect it to any type of actuator(fan) of air supply, it can be replaced quickly into needful, withoutany design changes of the device units.

A number of disadvantages of the known device is associated with theimperfection of its fractions collector, including rotating shutters,the upper ends of which hurts the grain material, sometimes even cutgrains. In addition, the nozzles of exit chutes are fixed, that forcesto rearrange the chutes in order to change the direction of the nozzle(direct or indirect fractions) and there are no units for products thatmay remove the final product at a certain distance from the device tothe specified area. Another minuse is the fact, that the fractionscollector is made in the form of chutes, the design of which cannot bechanged (except the turning rotate), for example, by volume. There is nosense in such chutes when we use the device for drying grains.

Another significant disadvantage of the known device is its limitedtechnical capacity of independent movement to a new technologicalpositions, as well as in its construction there is no means forautomatical loading of granular mixture and discharging of finishedproducts, that makes its technically imperfect, so it forces to attractfor its service, additional labor and technical resourses.

The presented critical analysis of the known technical solutions arecategorically convinced in the disadvantages, that are peculiar to theknown method of separation of granular mixture in flowing medium are ina causal relation with the structural disadvantages of the device, withthe help of which it is carried out.

SOLVABLE PROBLEM

The basis of the invention is to remedy the above mentioneddisadvantages through a fundamental change in the method of separationof granular mixture in flowing medium and to improve the device, byexpanding their techno-functional posibilities and customer'sproperties, by adding to the separation process new engineeringoperations, that will positively influence on the quality of theseparation process of a mixture into a separate fractions, and it willbe equipped with the new constructive and technical means, inparticular, partial construction changes of existing nodes in itsstructure, and the introduction of additional nodes that will obtainthese new properties of the method, that will cause the high-qualityresults of separation or drying of granular mixture and new capabilitiesof the device, including the expantion of their use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The solution of the stated problem is achieved in that method ofseparation of granular mixture into lowing medium consists in thegravitational submission of the particles of the mixture that are to beseparated, aerodynamic monotonous increasing effect on them at an acuteangle to the vertical with a cascade of flat jets, and the output offinished fractions and the greater part of the air stream for theseparation returns back by the reserve path to the actuator thatsupplies air to the generator and the failing fraction of volatileimpurities, together with the dust and the remaining air stream iscontinuously discharged into the environment through a dedicated node,made for example in the form of a cyclone, according to the proposal,before submitting of a granular mixture into the hopper, the preliminarypreparation by removing the overly large contaminants of biological andmineral origin is carried out for further continuity of the separationprocess and a cascade of jets is formed from the pre-aligned by thepressure and laminarnety of the continuously flowing air stream and withthe gravity flowing of granular mixture in the separation chamber theoptimally required kinetic energy of the fall with simultaneously forcedstabilization of the volume of the mixture, continuously supplied to theseparation, in an unpredictable changes of the quantity or volume ofgravitational submission of the granular mixture in the separation zoneor changes of the preferences of the electric network, in particularvoltage, frequency and other external factors, that affects on thequality of the separation process, automatically changes the capacity ofthe cascade jets, for example, by appropriate regulation of the mode(power) of the drive, that supplies air to the generator. In addition,the air stream that returns back through the reverse path is constantlysupplemented with an additional volume of air in order to compensate theloss of air in the removal part of the air stream together with dustinto the environment, besides, in the separation chamber, if necessary,continuously or periodically the excess air is removed in order tomaintain the constant conditions of the process of separation ofgranular mixture and the separation zone of the granular mixture is asmuch as possible protected from the influence of the environment on theseparation process, particularly weather and other externalconditions—rain, wind, drafts, etc., in addition, the all separationprocess—from the loading of the granular mixture to the discharge of thefinished fractions—if necessary, can be controlled visually, moreoverthe finished fractions can be removed at any distance from the fractionscollector in the desired area, provided by the technological tasks.

The given task is achieved in, that the device for separation ofgranular mixture in flowing medium, contains a control panel, a loadinghopper with vibrating dude with generator of cascade of flat jets underit, and with located under each other at an acute angle to the verticalflat nozzles, and which is associated with the drive of air supply underpressure, and also covered with the side walls, the fractions collector,made in the form of a frame with a set of sliding trays for the removalof direct and inverse fractions, above the side walls of which therotary shutters of separation chamber are located, the output of whichis blocked by a filter element, made in the form of a rotating drum witha calibrating screen on its surface, and is equipped with the purifierfrom the outside, and the internal cavity of the rotating drum isaerodynamically tied with the reverse path, that unites it with a driveof air supply into the generator of cascade of flat jets and also thecleaner of the calibration sieve is made in the form of successivelyarranged slit nozzles, the exhaust fan and the device for output ofimpurities into the environment, made, for example, in the form of acyclone with a waste hopper, located so that the calibration sieveadjacents with the gap in the confuser, one of the edges of which isequipped with a scrapper, according to the proposal, above the hopper amechanical tool for preliminary preparation of the granular mixture islocated, which is made in the form of inclined vibrating chute of flator cylindrical construction through which it falls into the hopper, andbetween the actuator and the generator of cascade of flat jets thetechnical means is installed for equalization of stream according to thepressure and laminarity of the expiration on the section, made in theform of one or more retractable bars, and the loading hopper isinstalled with the possibility of its regulation in height according tothe top nozzle of the generator jets, and with the possibility ofchanging the angle of inclination, besides, the hopper has an agitatorto break down the arches of the mixture and a hemispherical shutter toregulate the amount of mixture suppling into the vibrating chute, inaddition, the rotary shutters of the fractions collector have anaerodynamic profile and are made of elastic or other material with theupper ends of the streamline shape or covered with non resilient coatingfrom brushed woven/non woven material, in the form of cilia, brushes,etc, so that the technical means for damping the kinatic energy of thefalling particles of granular mixture colliding with the ends of therotary shutters to prevent the injury, deformation and fracture ofparticles of separated pieces of granular mixture, and the nozzles ofoutput chute holes of a fractions collector are installed with thepossibility of turning them to an any angle with the possibility of theremovement of separated material in any desired area and/or nozzes aremechanically connected to the sleeves (units for products) of requiredlength for the possibility of diversion of finished fractions at acertain distance from the device, which are attached to the nozzles bymeans of flanges or other fastening elements, moreover, the controlpanal of the device is made portable or remote, and the device itself ismodular with the possibility of disassembling it into separate blocksfor ease of preventive maintaince, fast changes of the individualblocks, if necessary, and ease in transportation, particularly of largebatches of devices to the customers and the drive of air supplyment tothe generator is made in the form of a centrifigal or other type of fan,for example, of the impeller, with the electric motor, kinematicallyconnected with the working body of the fan by means of a flexibletransmission, for example, belts, moreover, the drive air supply isprovided with a damper to regulate the flow volume of air flowing intothe actuator, as well as autoregulation of the mode of operation of thedevice is accomplished with the help of frequency regulator or othersimilar technical tools.

In addition, in the method of separation of granular mixture in flowingmedium, when it is applied for drying of granular mixtures, according tothe proposal, the maximum possible aerodynamic capacity of the cascadeof flat jets is used, and the dried granular mixture is collected in oneplace (without separation into fractions), and if necessary determinedby the moisture characteristics of air at the outlet of the separationchamber, is redirected to the internal position for gravity submissionfor repeated exposure on a mixture of cascade of powerful air jets(final drying), besides, the exhaust moist air from the separationcamera is discharged directly into the environment without returning itin drive by the reverse path.

As the possible embodiment option the drying of the granular mixture maybe heated and dried by a flow of air sucked into the drive from theexternal environment in summer, when it is hot, or forcibly heated witha heater installed in front of the actuator (the heater can be mountedin any convenient location), and in the presence of reverse path themoist air is returned through it to the actuator, passing through thementioned heater, that adsorbs the extra moisture. Or it dries the airfrom a reverse path with the method of sublimation (freezing ofmoisture), or condensation of the moisture from the air stream, that'swhy the appropriate technical means are installed into the device, forexample, the sublimator or air conditioner.

In addition, in the device for separation of granular mixture in flowingmedium, depending on the type and the condition of garnular mixture andthe separation tasks, according to the proposal, the flat nozzles of thegenerator of cascade flat jets may be formed by a parrallel plates ofthe same or different widths or profiles, for example, by corners, or inthe form of other mechanical means that allows to create a longitudinalslits in the generator and the generator itself is made extendable forthe possibility of rapid change one design to another and the separationchamber is maximum isolated from the penetration of the naturalenvironment factors into it, that could have a negative influence on theseparation process and on the environment.

In addition, in the device for separation of granular mixture in flowingmedium when it is used as a dryer according to the proposal, the outputfrom the separation chamber is made open, without a filter element inorder to ensure free existance of moistened air into the environmentand, in addition, in this case, the device operates without bars thatminimizes the resistance of the passage of air from the actuator to thegenerator of the cascade jets, and the humidity of the used air iscontrolled with the appropriate technical means (e.g. hygrometer), onindicators of which the degree of dried (ready) granulate mixture isbeing assessed and in front of the drive of air supply the heater ismounted for forced air heating sucked either from the environment orfrom the reverse path, in case of its presence in the construction ofthe device.

In addition, the device for separation of granular mixture in flowingmedium, according to the proposal, is placed on a chassis with a drivenor not driven swiveled wheels to allow the maneuvering of the devicewithout the involvement of additional vehicles in the operatingposition, for example, in warehouses, grain elevators and in thetransportation to a new location, and also is equipped with an automaticloading hopper of the granular mixture, for example, a screw and bucketlifts and automatic discharge tools of the separated or dried material(finished product) in the desired zone.

In addition, in the device for separation of granular mixture if flowingmedium according to the proposal, the fractions collector is made in theform of a solid case with movable inside (movable or removable)partitions that divide evenly, or unevenly the internal part of the caseinto the chutes of collection of the direct and inverse fractions andthe chutes can be made of transparent or opaque woven or polymericmaterial and can have a valve for sampling fractions and the chutes canhave an unstable form and minimal height that is enough to install themto the frame of the fractions collector.

In addition, in the device for separation of granular mixture in flowingmedium, to enable visual control of all process of separation or dryingaccording to the proposal, one of the side surfaces of the whole deviceor its individual units are made of a transparent material, includingthe chutes and the reverse path.

A distinctive feature of the proposed method of separation of granularmixture in flowing medium is that due to the invected technologicaloperations there is a real opportunity to stabilize completely andautomatically adjust all the parameters and the time and alsoirrespective of any internal and external factors, the whole process ofseparating a mixture into individual fractions or drying of granularmaterial while by a heated and dried aerodynamic flow of the air.

A distinctive feature of the device for separation of granular mixturein a flowing medium is that due to the introduced structural changes ithas become a multi functional, the scope of its application is expanded,it becomes convenient in servicing and in transporting, it allows tocontrol the process of separation or drying at any stages, and the mostimportant is that it can automatically responds to any changes in thenetwork, environment, the source material, and quickly changes inaccordance with the technological challenges of impact on the granularmixture.

The technical result of the invention is to provide a new process ofqualitative separation or drying of the grain material (granularmixture) due to the stabilization in time of exposure on the mixture ofair stream at all indicators on which the device automatically respondsdue to the introduction of relevant structural changes in it, as well asthe convenience and security of service and the redeployment of thedevice, without polluting of the environment. While the quality ofseparation of granular mixture at multifractional aerodynamic separationby weight, density or specific gravity has not worsened, but rather hasincreased.

Therefore, a change of the principle of separation of granular mixturein a stable cascade of air jets, protected from the exposure on themartificial and any natural factors, entails a corresponding increase oftechnical exploitation features and the customer's properties of thedevice.

Thus, all the essential features inherent in the proposed technicalsolution, obtained due to the introduction of appropriate technologicaland structural changes in the process and the device, achieve a positivetechnical result that is stated in the setting aims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further essence of the proposed technical solutions is explained withthe illustrative material, which shows a drawings of the proposed devicefor carrying out the mentioned method of separation of granular mixturein flowing medium, a side view with a partial section for betterdemonstrating of the construction and the separation process. The singlearrows indicate the air stream in the device, double arrows—return ofthe part of air stream to the generator for the reforming from it thecascade of flat jets for separation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The proposed device for separation of granular mixture 1 in flowingmedium includes a loading unit that consists of a mechanical means forthe prior preparation of granular mixture 1, that is made, for example,in the form of inclined vibrating screen 2 of a flat construction (forthis purpose can be used another constructions of similar usage, forexample, vibrating tables, rotating screens of a drum type). Thismechanical tool enables to withdraw from the granular mixture 1 a largeimpurities of mineral and biological origin and to send it into aspecially designed capacity 3. Under the vibrating screen 2 the hopper 4is installed with vibrating chute 5 for gravitational feeding ofgranular mixture 1 into the separation zone. In the hopper 4 therotaring agitator 6 is mounted, that is intended for the destruction ofgrain vaults in the hopper 4. The amount of output granulate mixture 1from the hopper 4 on the vibrating chude 5 is regulated by ahemispherical shutter 7. The hopper 4 is installed with the possibilityof adjusting its height and an angle of inclination with a simple screwmechanism 8 (the mechanism is given as an example, other ones can alsobe used for this purpose, such as pantograph, the “Nurembergalscissors”, etc). The described loading unit of the proposed device islocated on the vertical column 9.

In column 9 a retractable generator 10 of cascade jets is integrated, itis a closed contour volume with a set of a number of flat nozzles 11 forforming a cascade of flat air jets and which are located one underanother and at an acute angle to the vertical. The height of crosssections of the nozzles 11, their step and their angle of installationare increasing from top to bottom. In the case of technologicalnecessity, the type and condition of granular mixture 1, the jetgenerator 10, as a whole, or its nozzle 11 can have anotherconstruction, for which the generator is made extendable for theefficiency of replacement it into the necessary part. The jet generator10 is aerodynamically controlled with the actuator 12 (e.g. withcentrifugal fan), that feeds an air stream under the pressure and iskinematically connected (e.g. with a belt transmission 13) with electricmotor 14, that sets it in action. In front of the actuator 12 the flap15 is mounted (made of, for example, in the form of a diaphragm or ofanother design—it does not matter) for the regulation of the air volume,flowing into the actuator 12, as well as at the entrance of the actuator12, the radiator 16 is located for heating and drying of humid air. Thisis necessary in case, when the device is used as a dryer in order toaccelerate and improve the efficiency of the drying process of thegrains. If you are using another principle of the dehydration of the airstream that is for drying of granular mixture 1, before entering intothe device 12 of the air stream supply the submisstionor or airconditioner can be arranged (not shown, because of the notoriety). Thesetechnical means of heating and dehydration of the air stream can beinstalled at any other convenient place.

Between the actuator 12 and the generator 10 of a cascade of flat jets,the technical means is setted, it is used to equalise the air streamaccording to the pressure and its laminarity of expiry in across-section, made in the form of one or more retractable grids 17, thespatial orientation of which in relation to the generator 10 can bechanged by permutation of them in the corresponding slots 18. To thegenerator 10 from the nozzles 11 the separation chamber 19 isadjacented, which represents a closed volume, formed by the side and topwalls. At the end of the separation chamber 19, that is, from theopposite side from the jet's generator 10, a filter element having aform of a rotating cylindrical drum 20 with a calibration sieve 21(directly the filter) on its cylindrical surface is arranged. The drum20 at one site is kinematically associated with the drive of rotation(not shown because of the notoriety). The second end of the drum 20 isopen and duct 22 is adjacented to it, the opposite end of which isadjacented to the drive 12 in order to supply air under pressure to thejet generator 10. The purifier of the air stream from the impassablefractions through the calibrational sieve 21 of the impurities is madein the form of successively arranged slit nozzles 23, the fan airexhaust 24, and of the cyclone 25 with a hopper 26 for collecting theproducts of cleaning of the air stream. The slot of the confuser 23adjacents with an ensured clearance directly to the calibrational sieve21 of the rotating drum 20. One of the edges (no matter which one) ofthe slit nozzle 23 is provided with a scraper 27, that is made, forexample, in the form of a conventional manual brush with the bristles.

Under the separation chamber 19, a fractions collector 28 with chutes 29for collection of direct and inverse fractions of the separated materialis situated. Through the trays 29 of opposite fractions the lackingvolume of air from the environment, is sucked in order to compensate thelost air during the abstraction of the impurities with the help ofnozzles 23 with an exhaust fan 24. The turning shutters 30 of thefractions collector 28 has an aerodynamic profile and are made of anelastic material with the streamline shape of the upper ends or arecovered with non-elastic platings or with a brushed woven/nonwovenmaterial, in the form of cilia, brushes, etc., that is, the technicalmeans for damping the kinetic energy of the falling particles ofgranular mixture 1, that faces with ends of the rotary shutters 30, inorder to prevent the injury, deformation and the destruction ofseparating particles of granular mixture 1. The shutters 30 may have astraight or another shape, they can be made of metal, wood, etc., ifthere is a technological need. The nozzles 31 of the outlets of thechutes 29 of fractions collector 28, are installed with the possibilityof rotation at any angle, that is, with the possibility of rotationaround its axis. For the possibility of diversion of the separatedmaterial in any desired zone, the nozzles 31 are mechanically connectedto the sleeves 32 (units to assign the products) of necessary length inorder to allow extraction of the finished fractions at a certaindistance from the device, which are connected to the nozzles 31 byflanges or other fastening tools. The control panel 33 of the device ismade portable or remote, and is connected electromagnatically with thecontrol unit 34 of the device and it is fixed on the column 9, forexample.

The device, in general, is made module with the possibility ofdismantling it into separate blocks for the convenience of preventivemaintenance, for fast replacement of individual blocks, if necessary,for easy transportation, particularly of large batches of devices to thecustomers. The device is mounted on a frame 35, if necessary, it alsocan be installed on a chassis with a driven or non-driven rotatablewheels 36, for the possibility of easy maneuvering of the device,without involving additional vehicles, while changing the operatingposition, for example, in warehouses, at grain elevators and during thetransportation to a new place. However, the wheels 36 are not amandatory device node. In some cases, for example, when the device isinstalled in a stationary production line, it just leans on the frame,so the wheels in this case are not necessary. The device, if necessary,can be equipped with an automatic loading hopper of granular mixture 1,for example, screw or bucket lift and with an automatic discharges ofthe separated or dried material (finished products) in the necessaryzone (not shown because of their notoriety).

The proposed method of separation of granular mixture in fluid medium,with the help of the proposed device, operates as follows (on theexample of the separation of the grain material).

Before the usage, the device is to be setted up (usually it is done bythe manufacturer): according to the kind of granular mixture 1, themodes of air suppling to the generator 10 are choosen, the height andthe angle of rotation of the hopper is determined, then the grids 17 areinstalled in the needful location (the stabilizers of the air stream), aset of 10 generators with a variety of nozzles 11 is prepared(accordingto the type and condition of granular mixture 1, the different designsof nozzles 11 are used, that affects on the efficiency of the device,and on the power of drive 12 for the energy optimization of the device),etc. These device settings are carried out in advance for various kindsof granular materials and these settings of parameters are passed to theconsumer together with the set of required generators 10 and with asupporting documentation.

The grain material (granular mixture 1) is served as a continuous streamto the natone vibrating screen 2, where it is separated from the largeimpurities of mineral and vegetable origin. These impurities are removedin the intended for them capacities 3, and the purified grain materialpasses (wakes up) through the cells of inclined vibrating screen 2 andget into the hopper 4 and the vibrating chute 5, in which the agitator 6destroys the grain vaults in the event of their occursion, and they moveup the inclined bottom to the outlet of the hopper 4. The quantity ofthe grain material that gets into the vibrating chute 5, is regulated bya hemispherical shutter 7. Next comes the gravitational submission ofthe granular mixture 1 into the separational chamber 19 from the side ofthe nozzle 11. On the grains of the granular mixture 1, that are in afree falling and that have a specific kinetic energy of the fall,impacts under an acute angle to the vertical with a cascade of flat jetsin their fully developed turbulence, that occurs due to the curvature inthe generator 10 of the jets, during their expansion in the nozzles 11.At the outlet of the separation chamber 19, the polluted with dust andmechanical impurities of different shape, the air stream is abuted intothe rotating drum 20, which almost completely covers the output of theseparation chamber 19, because it is practically equal to the width ofthe chamber. The air stream comes through the calibration sieve 21 intothe internal cavity of the rotating drum 20, and the impassable on thesize solid particles remain outside the drum 20, on the surface of thecalibrating sieve 21. That happens the cleaning of the air stream fromthe impurities and partially from the dust. Through the calibrationsieve 21 the passing small impurities fall together with a portion ofthe air stream inside the rotating drum 20. This part of the air streamtogether with small impurities enters the air duct 22 and through itreturns to the drive 12, almost forcibly, by sucking the air from theair duct 22 with the help of the actuator 12. As the drum 20 rotates,its surface (the calibration sieve 21) is continuously cleaned from thefailing mechanical impurities with the help of a scraper 27. All thewaste from the separation process and from the pollution come into theslotted confuser 23, thanks to their suction of the air stream, that iscreated by the fan 24, then they come into the cyclone 25, where theyare separated from the air and then fall into the hopper 26, that ismade to collect the waste. From the cyclone 25, totally cleaned air isreturned to the environment with a weak power, almost imperceptiblestream, and therefore it doesn't create draughts around the workingdevice.

The returned to the actuator 12 part of the air stream, with a smallsolid impurities falls on the grats 17, where the air stream is cleanedfrom impurities, is aligned according the pressure and is transferredinto the laminar flowing mode. In this form, the air stream enters thegenerator 10 of jets and is served into the nozzles 11. During theimpact of air jets, the grains of granular mixture 1, are divided intoseparate fractions and fall into the appropriate for them chutes 29 offractions collector 28. From the trays 29, the final product is removedby product ducts 32 into the allowed area, that is selected by therotation of the nozzles 31 and is defined by the length of the productducts 32. During the technological breaks, the grids 17 are removed andcleaned of accumulated stains on them, the large impurities from thecontainer 3 is also removed. If there is a need to move the device to anew position, it is autonomously transported on its own wheels 36. Ifnecessary, the generator 10 of the jets can be changed to another one,in accordance with new technological challenges.

In the case, when the device is used for drying grain material,previously, the filter node, vibrating screen 2, a fractions collector28 must be removed, because there are not necessity in them, the cyclone25 may be replaced by normal sedimentary camera, that allows to minimizeaerodynamic resistance to the movement of air in the separation chamber19. In this case, the hygrometer is setted, and the mode of drive power12 of air supply at the maximum allowable for this type of granularmixture (grain material) is changed, the heater is turned on 16 (ifnecessary) and so the device is being prepared to be used as anaerodynamic dryer. During the drying of granular mixture 1, the processof influence of the cascade of jets on the mixture has the similareffects, as at the process of separation.

If one side of all units of the device made of a transparent material,it becomes possible to visually see the whole process of separation(drying), watch it, and modify it timely. For sampling of grainsmaterial into the product ducts 32, the respective pockets can be made,and the trays 29 can be made of any material, including an unstableform.

A significant difference of the proposed technical solutions from theprior known, consists of a complete stabilization of process ofseparation of granular mixture, due to preliminary preparation of thesource material, the stabilization according to the pressure, and airstream expiration, in automatic response to changes in the environment,in the possibility of autonomous relocation of the device into the newtechnological positions, as well as the possibility of withdrawing offinished product in any desired area, the usage of the process and thedevice as aerodynamic dryer with heated/not heated dehydrated air. Allthese differences, allow to qualitatively separate granular mixture intoseparate fractions, regardless of any external and internal factors,allow to expand the sphere of the device usage: as for separation, andas for drying, the device is convenient to maintain and relocate it to anew position. None of the known methods of aerodynamic separation andthe devices for their implementation can not have the specifiedproperties, because they do not contain all the essential features, thatinherent in the proposed technical solution.

The proposed technical solutions were tested in practice. The deviceconsists of the usual components and units, the method of separationdoes not contain activities or processes that would be impossible toreproduce on the modern stage of development of science and technology,particularly, in agricultural engineering, which means, that they areindustrially applicable. In the known sources of patent,scientific-technical and other information the similar methods ofseparation of granular mixture in fluid medium is not revealed, as wellas, devices for their implementation of similar purpose with these greatessential features and advantages, therefore, it corresponds to thecriterion of “novelty” and therefore considered, that they can get legalprotection.

Since the set of essential features that are contained in the proposedtechnical solutions do not and can't be mentioned in the existing priorart, and the claimed technical solutions are deemed to be named “theinventive level”.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The technical advantages of the proposed technical solutions incomparison with the prototype are the following:

-   -   full stabilization of the separation process (drying) of        granular mixture on all aspects of time, due to the lack of        influence on the process of external and internal factors;    -   to prevent the possibility of failure the device or infringement        of the separation process due to the prior preparation of the        granular mixture for the separation process;    -   stabilization of loading of granular mixture in the separation        zone due to the presence of technical means in the hopper, that        destructs the grain domes;    -   the ability of accounting of the view and physical parameters of        granular mixture and regulating the kinetic energy of its free        falling due to the possibility of adjusting the height and the        angle of the hopper according to the zone of separation;    -   stabilization of cascade jets by supplying to the generator        aligned according to the pressure and its laminarnet expiration        of the air stream;    -   the extension of the techno functional properties of the device,        due to the possibility of its usage, as a separator, as well as        a dryer; as dehydrated heated air and unheated;    -   convenience control of the device, due to the remote or portable        control panal;    -   the ability to stabilize the separation process due to the        timely response to changes in the external (weather) environment        and regulation of air pressure in the separation chamber, and        the execution of the separation zone isolated from the        environment;    -   the ease repairing and preventive maintenance, through the use        of a block scheme in the construction of the device;    -   the improving quality of the separation process and preserve the        integrity of the grains due to the fact that the rotary shutters        have an aerodynamic profile made of elastic material or are        provided with the absorbers of kinetic energy of grains, falling        on them;    -   the possibility of removal of the finished product in any        desired area, due to the fact that the output connections of the        trays are made rotatable and are provided with product ducts;    -   ease of relocation of the device due to the fact that it is        mounted on wheels;    -   the service ability of the device by equipping it with        additional technical means of loading and unloading of ready        (separated) products;    -   it is not attached to a particular kind of electrical network        due to the fact that the drive and electric motor are connected        kinematically by means of a flexible connection, for example,        through a belt transmission;    -   the ability to visually monitor the entire separation process        (drying) granular mixture, due to the fact that one side of the        device is fully or partially made of a transparent material.

The social effect from implementation of the proposed technicalsolutions in comparison with the prototypes, is got through improvingworking conditions, ease of maintenance and the transportation of thedevice, the improving of quality and increasing output of finishedproducts, due to the reduction of waste (destroyed and damaged grains).

The economic effect from the implementation of the proposed technicalsolutions in comparison with the prototypes, is obtained by increasingthe commercial attractiveness of the device, which will increase sales,but also due to the use of only one device to solve two fundamentallydifferent problems—separation and drying of the granular mixture.

After the description of the proposed method of separation of granularmixture in fluid medium and device for its implementation, specialistsin this field should be apparent that all of the above mentioned is anillustrative character, but not limiting, while being represented bythis particular example. The numerous possible modifications of thedevice, in particular, its constructive elements and units, principlesof parameter settings and methods of using, of course can vary,depending on the type and condition of raw materials, external andinternal factors, the volume of production, technological problems,etc., and of course, are within one of the conventional and naturalapproaches in this field of knowledge and are so considered in such away, that are within the volume of the proposed technical solutions. Theset of essential features inherent in the proposed technical solutionsobtained through the introduction of appropriate structural andtechnological changes, that enabled it to acquire the proposed method ofseparation and the device for its implementation the above mentioned andother benefits. The introduction of any incremental changes andadditions to the proposed items of equipment will naturally limit therange of their advantages, and therefore it cannot be considered as newtechnical solutions in this field of knowledge, because other similar tothe described method of aerodynamic separation of granular mixture influid medium and device for its implementation, will not require anycreativity from the designers, technologists and engineers, andtherefore can not be considered as results of their creative activitiesor new intellectual property and appropriate protection of securitydocuments in accordance with applicable law.

1. A method for separating a granular mixture in a flowing mediumconsisting of providing gravitational supply of the mixture's particles,removing large impurities from the granular mixture, separating thegranular mixture with an aerodynamic monotonously increasing action of acascade of flat jets, at a sharp angle to a vertical plane of thecascade, said cascade being stabilized in terms of pressure anddischarge, wherein most of the air flow used for separation is recycledthrough a return path into a drive supplying air to a generator of thecascade of flat jets, discharging continuously an impassable fraction ofvolatile impurities together with dust and remaining air stream is intoenvironment through a unit in the form of a cyclone, wherein thegranular mixture supplied in the flowing medium into an adjustablehopper is preconditioned by removing therefrom large impurities ofbiological and mineral origin, creating a cascade of flat jets forfurther continuity of the separation process, formed from an entire airstream pressure, previously equalized, and a laminar continuous flow ofair, and from a gravitational supply of blown loose granular mixturefalling into a separation chamber, setting up optimally required kineticenergy of falling with simultaneously forced stabilization of thegranular mixture volume continuously supplied for separation, changingautomatically a power of the flat jets cascade in case of an unexpectedchange of quantity or volume of gravitational supply of the granularmixture falling into a separation zone, or a change of parameters of theelectrical conduit, particularly, voltage, frequency, and other externalfactors that affect quality of the separation process, by appropriateadjustment of operating mode, or power, of the drive supplying air tothe generator, by continuous replenishment of air flow returned throughthe return path with an additional volume of air to compensate for lossof the air flow lost after removing a part of the air together with dustinto the environment by removing continuously or periodically an excessof air pressure in the separation chamber in order to maintain constantflow conditions of separation process of granular mixtures, byprotecting the separation zone or area of the granular mixture fromimpact of the environment on the separation process, particularlyinfluence of weather and other environmental conditions like rain, wind,drafts, wherein, the entire process of separation—from loading granularmixture to discharging of finished fractions—if necessary, can becontrolled visually, and finished fractions can be removed and move awayto any distance from a fraction collector to the desired location.
 2. Adevice for separating a granular mixture in a flowing medium, comprisinga control panel, a generator of a cascade of flat jets, disposed oneabove the other at an acute angle to the vertical plane nozzles, whichis connected to a drive for supplying air under pressure, and coveredwith side walls, a charging hopper with a vibrating chute mountedbeneath the generator, a fraction collector made in the form of a framewith sliding out chutes to remove direct and inverse fractions, rotaryshutters located above the side walls, a separation chamber whose outputis covered with a filtering element in the form of a rotatingcylindrical drum with a calibrating sifter on a surface, that isconnected with a cleaner on the outside wherein the cleaner of thefiltering element is made in the form of a slotted confuser, with ataken out ventilator and a device for removing impurities into theenvironment made in the form of a cyclone with a waste adjustable hopperplaced in a way that the filtering element is adjacent to a slit of aconfuser with a gap, which one of the edges is equipped with a cleaningelement, a rotating drum with inside cavity equipped with a return path,which connects the rotating drum to the drive supplying air to thegenerator of the cascade of the flat jets, a mechanical means situatedabove the hopper which is used for a preliminary preparation of thegranular mixture, made in the form of an inclined vibrating screen, withflat or cylindrical structure, through which the loose mixture fallsinto the hopper, a technical means located between an actuator and thegenerator of the cascade of flat jets to straighten air stream pressureand laminar flow along the path, which is made in the form of one ormore sliding bars, a loading hopper, having ability to regulate its ownheight relatively to a top nozzle of the jets generator, with ability ofchanging an angle of inclination, wherein the hopper is equipped with arotary agitator to break down holdups of the mixture and with ahemispherical shutter to regulate amount of the supplied mixture to thevibrating chute, wherein the rotary shutters of fraction sets areequipped with an aerodynamic profile made of an elastic or othermaterial with upper ends of streamline shape or a non-resilient coveringof a fleece woven/nonwoven material, in the form of lashes, brushes, andothers which is a technical means for damping kinetic energy of fallingparticles of the mixture, wherein the particles collide with edges ofthe rotary shutters to avoid damage to deformation and fracture ofseparated flowing particles of the loose mixture, wherein output trayholes of fraction chutes are installed being capable of turning to anyangle, to allow the separated material be removed in any desiredlocation and/or pipes are mechanically connected with sleeves, a productpipe line of the required length, for a possibility of removal offinished fractions at a certain distance from the device, wherein thesleeves are connected to branch pipes by means of flanges or otherfastening elements, wherein the control panel of the device is portable,and the device is a self-contained modular with a possibility ofdismantling into separate blocks for ease of preventive maintenance,fast replacement of individual blocks, and, if necessary,transportation, especially of large batches of devices to customers,wherein the drive air supply to the generator is made in the form of acentrifugal or other type of a fan, like an impeller, with an electricmotor, kinematically connected with a working member of the fan by meansof a flexible transmission in the form of a belt, and the drive airsupply is provided with a valve for regulation of flow volume of airdelivered into the transmission, wherein the auto-regulation mode isperformed with a help of a frequency regulator or other similartechnical tool.
 3. The method of according to claim 1, characterized inthat when the method is applied to dry granular mixtures, a maximumpossible aerodynamic capacity of the cascade of flat jets is applied,and the dried granular mixture is collected in one place, withoutseparation into fractions wherein if necessary, as determined bymoisture characteristics of air at an outlet of the separation chamber,the dried granular mixture is re-directed to the original position forgravity feed to repeat an action on the granular mixture by the cascadeof the powerful air jets, wherein, during drying, exhaust moist air fromthe separation chamber is discharged directly into the environmentwithout returning the air into the drive through the return path,wherein the drying, if necessary, is carried out by heated under driedair, which is sucked into the drive from the environment in the summerduring a warm weather, or is positively heated by a heater installedbefore an inlet of an actuator or in any convenient place, wherein inthe presence of the return path, the moistened air is returned throughthe return path to the drive, passing through the air heater, absorbingexcess of moisture therefrom, or drying air from the return path bysublimation—moisture freezing—or by condensation of moisture from theair stream for which purpose appropriate technical means, like asublimator or a positioner, are incorporated into the device.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 2, characterized in that depending on type andcondition of the granular mixture, and on separation tasks, the flatnozzles of the generator of the cascade of flat jets can be formed ofparallel plates of the same or different widths or profiles, likecorners, or in the way of other mechanical means permitting to create alongitudinal slits in the generator, wherein the generator is madeextendable for a possibility of rapid change of one construction toanother, wherein the separation chamber is maximally isolated from aningress of natural environmental factors, which can have a negativeinfluence on the separation process and the environment.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 2, is characterized in that when using the device asa dryer, moisture control of exhaust air is carried out by a technicalmeans like a hygrometer, on parameters of which a degree of the dried,ready free-flowing mixture is assessed, wherein before an entrance tothe drive an air heater is mounted for forceful heating air suckedeither from the environment or from the return path, if such exists inconstruction of the device, wherein an entrance to the drive air supplymay be equipped with a sublimator or an air conditioner for dehydrationof air.
 6. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that thedevice can be placed on a chassis with driven steering wheels to allowmaneuvering of the device without involvement of additional vehicles inthe operating position like in warehouses, grain elevators and duringtransportation to a new location, wherein the device can be equippedwith an automatic loading hopper of the granular mixture in the form ofan auger or bucket lift, wherein the device is capable of automaticdischarge of the separated or dried material as a finished product, tothe desired location.
 7. The device according to claim 2, characterizedin that the trays of collection of fractions are made of a transparentor an opaque fabric or a polymeric material, wherein the trays ofcollection have a valve to allow sampling fractions, and trays of anunstable form may have a minimum height sufficient only to mount thetrays to a frame of the collection of fractions.
 8. The device accordingto claim 2, characterized in that for a possibility of the visualcontrol of the separation or drying process, one of the lateral externalsurfaces of the entire device or individual units is made of atransparent material, including trays and return path.